[A glomus tumor of the nasal fossa and ethmoid sinus]

Abstract

To our knowledge the case which is reported is the seventh glomus tumor described so far. The mass was located in the ethmoidal cavity and a spreading to the nasal cavity and choana. Firstly, the patient was supposed to have a polyposis naso-sinusal due to the symptom. After being operated (maxillo-ethmoidectomy trans-sinusal technique) the light and electron microscopic descriptions of the mass which was excised, showed the real diagnosis "glomus tumor". The patient stopped coming to the controls one month after the first operation. He did not consult us until eight months later. It was found by TC a recurrence of the tumor. The patient did not complain of any symptoms. He was operated again (external ethmoidectomy technique) and the mass was completely removed. Eventually, the think that it is very important to distinguish the "glomus tumor" (the one which has just been described) from the non-chromaffin paraganglioma or chemodectoma.